Mechanism for assembling match packets and the like



De@ 2,7, 1938, HBROWN T AL MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBL-ING'- 'MATCH PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed ou. 9, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet; l

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Dec. 27, 1938.- H. BRQWN ET AL MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH PACKETS AND THE LIKE F'iAlgd 0612.9, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 -Ik iwmlm--- Dec; A27, 1938.I H. BROWN ET A1. 2,141,460

MECHINISMv FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed oct. 9, 1937 5' sheets-sheet :s

Dec. 27, 1938 H. BROWN r AL 2,141,460

MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH PACKETS' AND THE LIKE 5 sheets-smeet 4 Filed Oct. 9, 1957 Dec. 27, 1938. H. BROWN ET AL MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH PACKETS AND THE LIKE Filed nt. 9, 1957 5 sheets-sheet 5 CCO-rovzvel/ Patented Dec. 27, 1938 MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH PACKETS AND THE LIKE Hugo Brown and Wilmer C. Nicodemus, Barberton, Ohio, assgnors Company, New York,

Delaware Application This invention relates tomechanism for assembling match packets and the like, and especially book matches of the typewherein each book comprises one or more cards of matches enclosed long front flap which l when closed is adapted to be tucked under the free edge of a short front retaining fold to which in a flexible cover having a and the back of the cover are fasten or bases of the match card or cards.

anism herein illustrated as an embodiment of our invention has been designed for use more eswith a continuous match pecially in connection booking machine from which the com books are delivered atwise in succeeding pairs, all in similar endwise and face arrangement, that is, the larger or headed ends of the matches vpoint in one direction and the fold the books are upward, as, for example, in United States Patent No. 1,042,472, dated October 29, 1912.

The principal object of our invention is to provide mechanism of simple and eflicient construction and operation which is arr adapted to receive the match books pair by pair as they are discharged from the booking machine,

and which mechanism thereupon books of the succeeding pairs in two paths or rows, moves them to upright position, and tilts the books of each pair toward each other in such a manner that the books are assembled in Valternation ina single path or row whereinad- `jacent books are in reversed end relation and the Vsmooth back of each book is in contact with the folded front of the adjacent book. Such disposition of the books obviates any liability'of the interlocking of the opposing folds of adjacent books (as where the folded fronts of the books are in contact) during the removal of a book from a container in which they may be subsequently stacked, as, for example, the supply hopper of a machine for vending book matches.

With this object in View (and others)V our invention comprises novel features of construction and combinations of parts, which in form will be hereinafter described, the scope of the invention then being expressed pended claims.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the delivery end Vof a matchA bookin 'equipped with book assembling mechanism embodying the principle of `our invention.

f Fig. 2 is a plan of the said mechanism. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section Lof the mechanism, as on .the line 3--3 of to The Diamond Match N. Y., a corporation of October 9, 1937, Serial No. 168,145

l11 Claims. (Cl. 226-4) showing the apparatus as in operation and the match books in their progressive relative positions.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 'l are partial sectional views of l a book assembling wheel and the stationary book' 5 tilting cams in lateral relation thereto, showing a pair of books in the successive Vrelative positions which they are caused to assume during the travel of the wheel.

Fig.Y 8 is a partial perspective View of a channeled guide structure in which the books are directly delivered b-y the booking machine, showing bock feeding fingers for successive pairs of books.

Fig. 9 is a similar view of a cover for the said guide structure. 15

Fig. 10is a transverse vertical section through the guide structure, as on the line Ill-I 0 of Fig. y2.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the take-off trough, and adjuncts.

Fig. 12 is a transverse section through ther 20 trough, as on the line I2--I2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a general plan of driving connections between the booking machine and the assembling. mechanism. Y

Referring tothe drawings, I5 designates the 25 usual intermittently rotatable ap folding wheel of a typical match booking machine, from which wheel the match books, in pairs, are delivered horizontally in similar endwise and face arrangement upon resilient supporting plates I6 by thel 30 action of a reciprocating ejector frame I1, the

' larger or headed ends of the matches leading and the folded faces of the covers being upwards. The plates I6 are secured at their inner ends to a base member I8 which is supported upon a bed ISL 35 having parallel channels into which the books are ejected. The free ends of the' plates overhang a stationary tucker block and are formed with spaced openings 20 through which extend resilient pads 2| of rubber or the like, which arei 40 secured to the block. These pads underlie two tucker members 22 which are carried by reciprocating arms 23 and are actuated thereby to insert the free ends of the cover flaps (al) of each successive pair of books (B) underthe stapled 45 short folds (c) of the covers at the narrow ends of the respective books. Each pair of closed lbooks are pushed from the tucker block by the next succeeding pair of books in their passageto and upon the block. `50

In accordance with our invention in its preferred embodiment one of the completed books of each pair is moved rearwardly in a horizontal pathwhile the companion book is directed inan adjacent rearwardly and downwardly inclined vS456 plete match ed faces of ang'ed and spaces the a preferred in the apg machine path to a lower level, such paths being efficiently provided by a guide structure 2 which is supported at its respective ends by the bed I9 and also by suitable brackets 25 which are bolted to an adjacent supporting frame 26. The structure 24 provides horizontal and inclined channels 21 and 28, respectively, in which the books are flatwise deposited in succeeding pairs `as they leave Vthe tucker block; it being noted that the receiv- Between and longitudinally of the two floors is aV wall 32 which rises from the inclined floor and above the horizontal floor and has a rearward eX- tension'33 which terminates in close relation to Ythe wheel 25. At the outer portions of the respective floors and in spaced parallel relation to the wall'32 are side walls 3d and 35 which extend beyond the rearward end of the structure and terminate in lateral proximity to the circumferential path of the pocketed wheel. The space between the walls 32 and 3d is such as to form in conjunction with the inclined floor 3| the channel 28 for the free passage of a book to the wheel 29. Secured to the horizontal floor El, adjacent .and parallel to the upper portion of the wall 32,

is an angle bar 36 having also a rearward eX- tension 31 which terminates in close relation to the Wheel `29. 'I'he bar 36 together with the Vwall 35 and the horizontal floor 35 constitute the channel 21 for the passage of a book to the pocketed wheel at a level above that of the 'companion' book.

The means herein shown for feeding the books of eaoh succeeding pair along the respective channels is as follows:

The iioors ofthe channels have therein` longitudinal slots 38 through which freely extend a pair of upstanding fingers'SS which reciprocate in a path between the tucker Vbloclnand the pocketed wheel ina manner 'to engage each succeeding pair of books at the receiving end of the guide structure 26 and advance them toward the wheel. These ngers 35 are carried by the forl ward ends of a pair of parallel rods d which are two t0 one.

slidably mounted in guide bearings il on the respective sides ofthe supporting frame 26. The rearward ends of the rods are connected by a cross-bar l2 Which,rin turn, is pivotally connected by means of a rod i3 with a crank @il on a shaft 4'5 which is driven from the main cam shaft of thebooking machine, so that each succeeding pair of books, immediately upon their completion at the tuckers, areadvanced by the fingers 39 to the rotating pocketed wheel V29 and inserted therein at different levels. The Outer open sides of the `books When'thus inserted project beyond vthe respective sides of the wheel, as seen in Fig. 4.

In the present instance the-shaft G5 is equipped at one end with a pinion 46 which is drivenifrom a gear 41 on'the main cam shaft 48 of the booking *machina through a corresponding idler gear'g,

the ratio of the gearing between the shafts being (,ileerFig;` 13,) Y

Theguide structure 24Vis provided with a cap plate 5U, which is detachably supported on the outer walls of the channels, as by dowels, so that the cap canVV be readily removed and access had to the channels in case any books therein should become disarranged. On the underside of the cap are secured two pairs of longitudinally eX- tending beveled projections 5l whereofone pair depend in the inclined channel 28 and the other pair depend in the horizontal channels 21, the lower or actingY faces of the respective pairs being spaced from and being formed to extend parallel or substantially so with the floors of the respective channels. vHence as the books in their travel along the channels to the pocketed wheel pass under .the .opposing projections such books are slightly retarded by their facial contact with the projections, thus obviating any liability of the books being thrown forward intothe wheel before the proper pockets are in receptive position for the books.

The assembling wheel 29 in the form'illustrated has throughout its periphery a series Yof equally spaced partition elements [52, eachof which is inclined in respect to aV radial line intersecting;

the base of the element, thus providing outwardly diverging spaces or pockets whereof adjacent pairs are advanced progressively to the planes of the discharging ends of the respective channels 21, 28 and in timed relation to the feeding iingers 39.

In the present instance the wheel`29 .is'suitably geared with and driven'from the main cam shaft 48 of the bookingmachine; that is to say, one

endof the shaft 290 of the Wheel has fast thereon 335 a large sprocket V53 which is connected by means of a chain 5d with a smaller sprocket55 loose on the shaft 45 previously referred to. vThe hub of the sprocket'55 also carries a larger sprocket 56 which is connected by a chain '51 with a smaller sprocket 58 on the hub of the idler gear 49, .the ratio of the sprockets of each pairl being one to two. Y Y

Each partition element 52 extends vfrom side to side of the wheel and is preferably composed of three spaced blade sections, to wit, wide side sections 59 which travel in close relation to the floors of the respective channels 21 and28, vand an intermediate narrow section Eli which travels in close relation to the space between'the channels. Hence when the peripheral series of sectional bladesrare assembled on the wheel there are afforded in the mid-section of the wheel a pair of circumferential spaces 6| for the reception of the rearwardly-extending vportions 33 y and '31 of the inner'wall 32 andthe angle bar 36 of the Vguide structure 24,l respectively, during the rotation of .the wheel. The spaces between adjacent blade sections communicate with parallel circumferential grooves 62 in the body of the wheel, which grooves also receivefthe'free ends of the extensions 33,-and 31.

The pockets formed by and between the adjacent sectional partition elements are vof suicient size to receive and carry the books with the outer sides of the books protruding laterally of the Wheel, as seen in Fig. 4, yet permit the contained books to be freely tilted sidewise toward and between the mid-portions of the respective elements, as will now be explained.

Fastened on the respective sides .ofthe frame-26 and in close relation'to theends of the wheel 29 are two stationary cam members .63, whereof each comprises Van upstanding platehaving a forward 'peripheral cam surface 'dlmerging `with'a rear- *15 'ward curved surface 65 ,thereby progressively the tops of the cam whichis concentric with the axis .of the wheel. The concentric surface is so disposed thatit lies in lateral proximity to the rotary path' of the outer edges of the partition elements as they travel from an upper vertical to a rearwardhorizontal position, or substantially so, while the cam surface 64 gradually curves forwardly and downwardly to a horizontal plane in proximity to the bases ofthe partition elements. The cam surfaces thus provided lie in the paths ofthe laterally projecting outer portions of the leading or larger ends of each pair of books as such books are being carried upward by the wheel to vertical position, orl substantially so, tipping the books of each succeeding pair toward each other and transversely of theI wheel until they pass their respective vcenters lof gravity and drop into reverse endwise relation in their respective pockets; that is to say, the books of the two rows previously in similarendwise land face arrangement are assembled in alternation in a single row wherein adjacent books are endwise reversed and the smooth back of each book faces the folded front of the adjacent book.

The narrow intermediate blades B0 serve to guide the adjacent books during their opposite transverse movements in the respective pockets, and the inner faces of the respective cam plates aiord efficient guards for the Voperi ends of the advancing pockets and their contents, when the endwise and facewise reversed books escape the opposing cam surfaces. i

In Fig. 4 a pair of books are shown in theirr relative positions immediately upon their insertion in two adjacent pockets'of the wheel, and in Figs. 5, 6 and '1 such books are shown lin their succeeding relative positions until they have been endwise and facewise reversed during the progress of the wheel. In Fig. 3 the wheel is shown as containing a succession of pairs of books in the various relative positions which they are progressively caused to assume by their co-action with the respective opposing cam surfaces of the members 63.

The books carried by the wheel 29, as they approach the vertical position at the top of the cam plate 63, pass upon a pair of fingers 66 which, projecting forwardly from thebottom of a rearwardly extending take-off trough 61, enter the circumferential blade spaces 6l and the grooves 62 of the wheel'and lie immediately below the opposing lower sides of the proximate books. Consequently as the partition elements travel downwardly and rearwardly in the continued rotation of the wheel, such members recede successively from the books contiguous thereto and coincidentally push the vertically arranged books face to face, in a single row, with the ends of the books alternately reversed and the back and front of adjacent books in'contact with each other, along the fingers 66 and into the trough. (See Fig. 3.)

l 'Io ensure the orderly alignment laterally of the books entering the trough, the latterhas secured thereto, at its receiving end, sid-e plates 6B having forwardly projecting fingers 69 which are laterally iiared,v as at 10, and are curved to overlie platesv 63. lthus embracing the assembled books `in `such manner that the ends of the progressing books come incontact with the ilared portions, or either of them,`and are thereby moved endwise .to a uniform row as they enter the trough. r(See Figs. 2 and 3.)

Thereceiving end of the bottom of the trough,

lto the inclined plane.

in the'space between the side plates 68, is horizontal, as at 1l, and the remainder of the bottom is slightly inclined transversely, as at 12, the lower edge of sucheinclined portion having a longitudinally extending wall 13 lIhe horizontal portion 1l gradually merges with the inclined portion of the bottom, as at 14, and therefore the books initially advanced upon such horizontalportion progress therefrom in an orderly manner to and along `the inclined portion and in convenient position removal in determined quantities at the (See Figs. 12 and 13.)

portion of for their open side of the trough.

Arranged to overhang the receiving the trough is a horizontal idly movable upon and from the underlying books, thus ensuring the uniform level of the progressing books within the trough. In the present instance, the plate 15 is supported by the upwardly yextending rearward member 16 of an angulated arm having a forward depending portion11 which is pivoted, as at 18, to the frame 26, the body of the arm'being provided with a roll 19 which bears on a fluted or star cam 8l) on the shaft 290 of its wheel 29. cillated, thus actuating the desired leveling action on the progressing in the trough. (See Figs. l, 2 and 3).

By the foregoing described mechanism embodying our inventionit object ofthe invention is efficiently attained, in that the match packets as they areY rapidly discharged in succeeding pairs from the booking machine are inserted in the adjacent pockets of a continuously moving carrier, and as the packets proceed with the carrier their outer corners encounter lateral cam members which progressively tilt the packets in a manner to arrange them in a single row and in reverse end and face relation, preparatory to their delivery to the trough. Y

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular exemplifying form thereof herein disclosed, as the mechanism may plate 15 to effect the books be modified within the principle of the inventionv and the scope of the appended claims.

We claim: l

1. In a machine for assembling Vpackets each including a'cover having a iiat back and a folded front portion, means for supporting succeeding,

pairs of laterally spaced packets in similar endwise and face arrangement and for feeding to different levels the packets of each pair, and a carrier element Ahaving a succession of open pockets, means ment to locate each succeeding pair of pockets for the reception of a pair of packets at said levels, one packet in each pocket, and means for progressivelytipping towardthe mid-section of the carrier the packets of each succeeding pair borne"vv carrier element having a succession of open pockets, means for actuating said carrier element to locate each succeeding pair of pockets for the yreceptionrof a pairlof packets at said levels, one

at right angles plate 15 which is rapi' Consequently the arm is rapidly osf will be seen that the primary for actuating said carrier ele-v iss packet in each pocket, :andlstationa'ry:camsrlocated inthe path ofthe outer leaclngcornerstof the packets when they are received bythe pockets,

-Whereby the succeedingpairs of packetszare progressively tipped toward `the mid-'section `of the carrier andrarranged in alternate order in endwise reversed rrelation in .a singlerow and `With the flat back of -each `packet facing Vthe folded front ofthe adjacentpacket. Y Y

3. In a machine for assembling'packets each including 'a cover having a fiat backand afolded front portion, means for supporting succeeding pairs of laterally spaced packets in similar end- Wise and face arrangement and for Vsuccessively feeding to diierent levels the packets .of 'each pair, and a carrier element comprising a Wheel having a succession of peripheral open pockets, means for rotating said Wheel to locate each succeeding pair of pockets for the `reception of fia pair of packets at said levels, one packet in each pocket, and means for progressively tipping toward the mid-section of the Wheel the packets yof each succeeding pair borne vby the Wheel, thereby arranging the packets of adjacent pockets inal- .ternate order in endwise reversedrelation in "a -single'path and with vthe nat backcf each packet facing the folded front of the adjacent packet.

4. In a machine for assembling Vpackets feach including a cover having a flat backand a folded front portion, means for supporting succeeding pairs of laterally spaced packets in similar end- Wise and face arrangement-and for successively feeding todifferent levels the packets of each pair,-and a carrier element comprising yaV Wheel having a succession of peripheral open pockets, means for rotating'said Wheel torlocat'e each succeeding pair of pockets rfor the reception `of .a .pairof packets at said levels, one packet in each pocket, and stationary cams located in` the'paths of the leading outer corners of the packetswhen they are received by the pockets whereby the succeeding pairs of packets'are progressively'tipped toward the mid-section'of the wheel and arranged in endwise reversed relation in alternate order and with the atback of each packet facing the folded front of the adjacent packet.

5. In a machine for assembling packets -each including acover having a flat back Vand afolded 'front portion, means for supporting succeeding .pairs of laterally spaced packets in similar endvvise `and face arrangement 'and for feeding to different. levels the packets of each pair, a vcarrier .element'comprising a YWheel having a succession of peripheral open pockets,V means for rotating .said wheel to locate each succeeding pair of pockets for the reception .said levels, one packet in of 'a pair of packets at each pocket, and means toward'the mid-section of each-succeeding pair vfor progressively tipping -wise reversed relation in a Vsingle row and with the flat back of each packet facing the folded front of .the adjacent trough into which said packet, and aV take-off packets `are successively deliveredfinasingle row as'the wheel rotates.

{6.fIn fa-machine for assembling packets reach including a cover havinga at back anda folded front lporti-on, means forsupporting 'succeeding pairs .':ofilat-'erally spac'ed'packets in similar Vvend- Wise'fand facefarrangement and for .successively fe'e'ding to fdiif-erent levels 'the packets of each 'pangea carrier element :comprising'a Wheelhavfing :a ssuccessi'on :of peripheral open pockets, fmeans :for .frotating'ssaid lwheel to locate ea'ch also having `channels leading Vmeans for feeding the .packets alongsaidchannels to andbeyond'thesaid-levels, a'packet-easi tionV of "each, succeeding pair of :analice succeeding pair .of pockets for the reception of ,fa

.pair Yof packets at 'said levels, onespac'ketin each pocket, and'means for progressively 'tipping toward the mid-.section of the Wheel'the packets borne by the wheel, thereby'xarranging the ipackets f of adjacent pockets in alternate .order in vendwise reversed relation in a Vsingle row and Vwith the atback'of each packet facing the foldedffront of the adjacent packet, and a take-01T trough into which said packets `.thus arranged-.are succesil including a cover having a -iiat back and a folded front portion, means for. supportingsu'cceeding .pairs of laterally spaced.y packets in similarIend- Wise Vand face -arrangement and for :successively feeding to different levels 'the packets 'of each pair, a carrier for rotating said 'Wheel to locate each'sueceeding pair of pockets for `the reception .of a :pair'of packets at said levels, onepacket Iinfeach pocket,

means for progressively tipping'toward thetmide.

:Wheel the packets borne by the Wheel, thereby-arranging the packets of-'adjacent pockets in alternateorder -in -endwise .reversed relation in a single row andwith the iiat back of `each packet facing 'the folded -front of 'the adjacent packet, andfatake-ofztroughI into which said packets thus varranged Aare, successivelyzdelivered, said trough havingat itsreceiving end forwardly projecting fingers -upon which "the packets are forwardly projecting guide 'fingers Whichembrace the .advancing packets.

8. In mechanism for assembling packets as they are dischargedin pairsffrom av booking machine in similar endvvise and facearrangemcn, supi. porting andrguiding element for thereception-:of

each succeeding pair of packets, said :element embodyingra structure havingftwo longitudinal to different delivery levels,

sembling element having' a succession'. of` equallyspacedv openpocketaaind means for actuating ,said assembling velementin ytimed relation to the feeding lmeans whereby ea'ch succeeding pair of element comprising Va-wheelhaving a. succession of peripheral fopenpockets, vmeans advanced Aas the Wheel rotates, and 2;

pockets are movable adjacent to the saiddelivery EN levels .and in receptive 'position for -apair "of packets. Y

V9.In mechanism for assembling packets as Vthey are discharged inpairs-froma booking-machine in simil-ar endwise a supporting'ancl guiding elementfor'the .recep- Y packets, said--ele ment embodying -a structure havingrtvvo longitudinalV 'channels' leading -to different delivery levels, and acover for .said'channelshavingfdepending guide members forl the packets in the receptive channels, means for feeding the p'ackets .along said channels to and-beyond the saidlevels, and and a packet assembling element havin-g a succession of equally-spacedopen pocket's,and means for actuating said assembling elementin timed relation to Vthe feedingymeans 'whereby each succeeding pair'of pockets .are movable :ad-

jacent to the said delivery levels position for a pairof packets.

.10. Packet assembling`mechanism :embodying and in're'ceptive a carrier Wheel having arsuccession vof .spaced peripheral blades'which provide a succession of open pockets each .of asizezfortheffree. reception :L

and face-arrangement,

of a packet on either side of the median peripheral portion of the wheel, said members constructed and arranged to afford a pair of spaced circumferential pockets between the sides of the Wheel, packet guiding ngers extending into the said spaces at different levels to which each succeeding pair of packets are presented, and means for progressively tilting across the mid-section of the Wheel the packets of each succeeding pair borne by the Wheel.

11. Packet assembling mechanism embodying a carrier wheel having a succession of spaced peripheral blades which provide a succession of pockets each of a size for the free reception of a packet on either side of the median peripheral portion of the Wheel, said members constructed Aand arranged to afford a pair of spaced circumferential pockets between the sides of the Wheel, and said wheel having in its body a pair of circumferential grooves with which said spaces communicate, means for feeding a pair of packets to each succeeding pair of pockets at one location, a packet when entered in one pocket being out of line with the companion packet entered in the adjacent pocket, means for tilting across the midsection of the Wheel the packets of each succeeding pair borne by the Wheel, and fingers extending into the said spaces and grooves at another location, said ngers arranged to receive and support the packets as they are discharged from the Wheel.

HUGO BROWN.

WILMER C. NICODEMUS. 

